Jess55

What a great post. I really hope once I get the band I will be able to relate to all those things.

I will have to try to be as positive as I can and not show how I really feel, I hope I can pull it together. I have to schedule some appointments tomorrow, one of them being the psych eval.

I'm a little worried after my surgery when it gets out, people will feel like I cheated, but I just won't think about it. I am doing this for me and only me. The only person who I have told and told her not to tell anyone is my mom. She encouraged me, she has been trying to get me to do something for a long time, though I have been dieting and she knows that, but she is happy I am doing it.

I'm curious. Does it count you out if you suffer from depression? I know I get depressed sometimes, in the past growing up I was put on antidepressants, but never felt they worked, so I stopped them and haven't seen a psychologist in many years. Will they say you can't have surgery if I am depressed, if so I will have to make sure not to sound depressed. Honestly I feel if I finally get this weight off I will be less so.

I went to the seminar a coupe of weeks ago and had my appointment with the surgeon today. Everything looks good so far, just got to start my pre op testing. Luckily I brought in my Weight Watchers record book and proved my weight history for 6 months, so I don't have to do that part, all I gotta do is the testing and attend 3 more seminars and I will be good. He wants me to start now only eating 3 meals no snacks and stay away from bread/pastas, and potatoes and stuff. I am going to find that very hard, especially the bread and pasta part. He said the wheat/whole grain is better for you but still not great, so that sucks. Going to try though. I guess I will have to go the the grocery store and stock up on meat. Did anyone else surgeon say only 3 meals, no snacks at all? I was going to try to stick with WW post op, but now I am not sure.

I live in Islip (on Long Island), NY

OMG! Thank You so much! I will write a letter tomorrow. I hope they are the same for my insurance. I might end up calling the surgeon I found tomorrow and check if he takes my insurance and maybe make an appointment.

I have Empire Blue Cross Blue shield. I tried contacting through e-mail my insurance and they said I would need to request it in writing with a code number or through a doctor. I was trying to find out what the requirements were. I have made a Dr. appointment for 2 weeks with a PCP. I'm thinking I should go to that first prior to contacting a surgeon. I hope I can use my Jenny Craig and WW history towards it. My sister is planning on getting married next fall and wants me in her wedding, but I really don't want to the way I am now.

Curious is you can answer a few questions. I have been doing WW since last year, did well in the beginning but now struggling. I am thinking about the Lap -Band. How do you work WW after the band, because I think I would still like to do it. Do you follow the points still? Or is it to much food and you just eat less than WW says, but still follow it somewhat? I mean I get 33 points per day right now, plus the 35. I think from what I have read it may be hard to get all those in due to the band and limited in what you can eat at once. Thank You for your responses.

Is this true for everyone? I love bananas, so I would really hate not being able to eat them. I also like to eat whole wheat pasta.

I am in your boat too. I was 307 prior to doing jenny craig for 3 years and lost 70lbs. I too lost interest only to gain back 55 of those pounds in 5 months. I then joined weight watchers and started off good, went off program around the holidays gained weight and can't get that weight back off. I need a kick in the ass to motivate me more. I start off the day eating right and then some days it just goes downhill because I get hungry. I feel like I am ready to contact a surgeon, but am worried I won't get approval because I have not even sen a PCP in like 3 years. I hope you and I both decide to go for it. I know I am very unhappy where I am right now. I am 260 and the high end of my ideal body weight is 140. So I need to do something.

Thank you for your response. I will only be able to do this through insurance though. I bought a co op a few months ago, so I have a mortgage and there will be no way I would be able to afford to pay out of pocket. I am glad to know about the hunger though, as sometimes I feel that is a big problem, especially before TOM.

I am 27 years old and have been morbidly obese for basically my whole adult life. I am very unhappy the way I am now. I tried Jenny Craig for 3 years and lost 70 lbs, but got tired of it and gained 55lbs back in 5 months. I have been doing weight watchers now and have been struggling the past number of months been going up and down. The problem I see is I get hungry to quick after eating and then start wanting junk food. I have been really thinking of the lap band recently, I figure it is meant to keep you fuller longer, which I beleive will be a drastic help to me. A few years ago I debated on gastric bypass, but realized the huge problems it causes with malnutrition and taking supplements and everything else, so I ruled that out. What I want to know is basically requirements, I have not been to a Doctor in years, basically due to embarrassment, but I am planning on finding one now. Will this affect my candidicy for the procedure, I mean do you have to be under the care of a PCP? Do I need to get a PCP referrel to go get a consult? My insurance is Empire Blue Cross Blue Sheild, has anyone had experience with them and getting the procedure? I knew someone that had the lap band and he is like 8 months out or something and looks like he lost a lot of weight. ANy input would be great. TIA